[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 25 MAY 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 2
TOPIC: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions and basic structure.
Why this question
The post of the governor has been criticized on various fronts and there have been calls to abolish the office altogether. In the evolving federal structure of India the abolishing of the office or maintaining status quo will have an important bearing on our polity. The question is related to GS 2 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to dig deep into the constitutional status and logic behind the post of governor and; discuss how the office is affects the federalism and popular democracy in the country. We have to analyse both the positive and negative aspects of the office and form a personal opinion.
Directive word
Critically comment- We have to form a personal opinion on the issue after taking into account both the positive aspects/ need, as well as negative aspects of the office of governor. We have to discuss how the office shapes/ has shaped the federal structure and popular democracy in India.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention the articles of the constitution related to the office of governor and its powers.
Body–
- Discuss the logic behind retaining the office by the constitution assembly and how the office has been misused for political gains and how that affects the federal structure of India and its popular democracy.
e.g discuss the discretionary power of governor which offers huge scope for blatant misuse, discuss the need for protecting national integrity and sovereignty
in a newly formed democratic republic etc
- Discuss the importance of the office in present times.
e.g during emergency, secessionist movements in various parts of the country etc.
Conclusion– Form a fair and balanced opinion on the need and desirability
of the office of the governor and suggest a way forward
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business,
powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Why this question
Elections in India signify the world’s largest democratic exercise but on the other hand frequent elections across the country consume a significant amount of resources and divert much of the time of the political parties at the central level. The present PM has suggested many times, the idea of one nation one election. And recently Election Commission presented the idea of one year one election in place of one nation one election. The question is related to GS 2 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to contrast the idea of “one nation one election” vs “one year one election”. We have to explain why the later is better suited for India in the present circumstances.
Directive word
Examine- We have to give explanation in support of the given stand i.e one year one election is better. We have to support our answer with proper arguments/ facts etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention the EC’s idea of one year one election, and also mention the other option of one nation one election.
Body– Discuss in points, why the EC’S idea is better.
e.g it will require fewer amendments to the constitution, it will respect the essence of the exercise of popular will, unlike one nation one election which prioritizes economic costs of elections over the exercise itself, it will avoid clubbing of national and state issues, it will not disturb federalism much, not much issues generated by emergencies like need to hold by-election etc.
Conclusion– Mention the importance of the exercise of the election, and the diverse structure and aspirations of India which necessitate respect for popular will and democracy.
Topic – Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive
Topic – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
Civil society protests in India have had a history of agitation for environmental causes such as in the case of Chipko movement. The current protest is also indicative of the rising anger against increasing urban pollution, poor implementation of policies related to pollution control in factories etc. In this light analyzing this protest would give us an idea of how the environmental regulations in India work and whether they should be improved. Hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question data that the civil society protests in TN are on account of the poor regulatory architecture
Topic – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Why this question
The release of the first ever WHO’s Essential diagnostic list (EDL) will enable India to incorporate the learnings in its own efforts at rolling out free diagnostic service. Understanding what diagnostic service is, how is it related to primary healthcare are all issues that need discussion
Key demand of the question
Following points are to be emphasized on in your answer
- What is essential diagnostic service
- Contents of WHO’s first ever EDL
- What are the aims and objectives of India’s attempts at rolling out free diagnostic service
- How will EDL help the country implement it
- The impact that EDL will have on improving primary healthcare
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .
Discuss – Here the impact of improvement in diagnostic services on the delivery of primary health care is to be explained
General Studies – 3
TOPIC: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development and employment.
Why this question
Environment provides us with the necessities of life and basic material for development. In the pursuit of more development, most nations have ignored the economic aspects of the exploitation of environment. Green GDP aims to capture the true position of a country as it includes the condition of the natural resources of the country, which in fact affect the quantum as well as pace of development. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to discuss in detail about the concept of Green GDP and how it will be a better indicator than simple GDP. We also have to see the other side of publishing the Green GDP and then form a personal opinion on the issue.
Directive word
Critically analyse- we have to dig into the details of the Green GDP concept and highlight its important aspects and advantages over simple GDP figures. We have to see if there are any cons/ issues/ obstacles involved in publishing Green GDP figures and thereafter form a personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Briefly give a description of the concept of Green GDP.
Body-
- Discuss the need for prioritising Green GDP over GDP.
- Discuss the importance of natural capital and how its quality determines the development potential in the real sense and in the long run.
- Discuss the effects of loss of natural capital due to overexploitation of resources and disregard for the sustainability of the system.
- Discuss the culture of consumerism and materialism evoked by the GDP race and how it leads to unsustainable use of natural capital.
2) Discuss the limitations/ obstacles involved in using green GDP.
- e.g difficulty in estimation of the value, lack of micro level data on capital formation and exploitation, pressure for improving GDP- internationally and domestically, lack of empirical studies on the value of natural capital etc.
Conclusion– Mention how the current GDP estimates include some of the natural capital exploited ( e.g minerals extracted; timber, fuelwood and non-timber forest products; natural growth of cultivated assets for some crops; and the output from dung manure etc. ) and mention how they underestimate the value and don’t include most of the services offered by natural capital. Also suggest a way-forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Why this question
The question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to discuss in detail about the achievements of the first modern man of India. It wants us to describe his work on Vedanta and how he aimed to develop it as a counterpoise to Western schools.
Directive word
Comment- we have to form a personal opinion on the issue. We have to provide necessary arguments/ facts/ examples in support of our opinion.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– give a brief introduction about Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his contribution towards the Indian society.
Body– Discuss the concept of neo-vedanta and how yoga emerged from it along with fruitful comparison vs Western philosophy. Mention his other works like the essay on Vedantasara, his book- a gift to monotheism, his beradar (brother) groups, his another book- The Precepts of Jesus: The Guide to Peace and Happiness etc.
Conclusion– Form a fair and concise conclusion based on the above discussion.
